NO OVER STOCKING OF RICE IN BICOL - NFA

LEGAZPI CITY- The National Food Authority (NFA) Bicol regional office here avers firmly that there is no over-stocking or over- importation of rice in Bicol for the current year.

Director Edgar S. Bentulan of NFA Bicol said the region’s annual rice production is 13,111,387 bags and its annual consumption requirement based on the latest inter-agency survey is 17,052,800 bags, resulting in a deficit by 3,941,413 bags.

This year, NFA’s import arrivals totaled 3,300,000 bags. From these figures, Bicol is still short by 641,413 bags, Bentulan said.

He said this shortage should have been absorbed by the private sector. Recently, however, local rice traders have not been so active in buying palay from farmers as can be seen in the unprecedented high palay procurement intake of NFA of 865,000 bags from January to July.

But miller-traders from other nearby regions came to Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay and Sorsogon to buy palay during the harvest season.

“If there is so much rice in the market owing to inflows from outside sources, even from private importation vis-à-vis strong NFA inventory, we should even welcome this as a no letting-up preparation of the government against typhoons, heavy rains, floods and volcanic eruptions,” the NFA official explained.

Our region is critically in the road map of natural disasters, hence, we cannot leave the food security of our people weak and in limbo, Bentulan said, as he pointed out that rice importation is not a handiwork of NFA.

The decision to buy rice from other countries is coursed through an inter-agency committee composed of DA, PAG-ASA, DTI, NEDA, BAS, PAFP, DBM and NFA. Then thus is further evaluated by the NFA Council headed by DA as chairman, and members NFA, DOF, Bangko Central, DBP, LBP, PNB and Office of the President.

Final approval is done by the concurrence of the Economic Managers composed of cabinet secretaries. (NEAlcantara, NFA V/PIA)

NHA APPROVES P8.4M FUNDING FOR ELECTRIFICATION
OF TAYSAN RESETTLEMENT VILLAGE IN LEGAZPI CITY

LEGAZPI CITY — Mayor Geraldyn Rosal averred the National Housing Authority (NHA) has approved the P8.4 million funding for the secondary line electrification of the eleven hectares resettlement site in Barangay Taysan, this city.

In a recent dialogue with the Taysan United Home Owners Association, Rosal said her husband, former Mayor Noel Rosal and now the City Administrator, relayed the information to her office recently, adding that the local government is to waiting for NHA for implement the projects because this will take a slim leeway for the preparation and installation of the said project.

Rosal also labeled that this electrification project is precisely advantageous to the residents of the village.

In the same dialogue, Ramon Diesta, president of COPE Taysan United Home Owners Association (THUOA) requested Rosal to fast track the installation of the electrification at the village.

Diesta likewise said that the village has only one electric mother meter for all the households, adding that the association was authorized to collect monthly payment from individual household and remit then to Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO).

The members furthered requested the city government to facilitate installation of meter for every household

Rosal, on the other hand, responded that the local government will act on the request of the residents yet also urged villagers to promptly pay their obligations to ALECO to avoid any problem on the electrification project in the future.

Rosal noted that the project is part of the electrification program of carried out during the administration of Mayor Noel Rosal. (MPSolis, LGU Legazpi Ciyt/PIA))


2010 SEARCH FOR OUTSTANDING THESIS AND DISSERTATION IN ADVANCED S&T ON

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is pleased to announce the “2010 Search for Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation in Advanced Science and Technology”.

The competition is open to all Master of Sciences (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates in the following disciplines; biology and related fields (molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry), chemistry/biochemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, computer science/information technology, earth sciences/space technology applications, material science, microelectronics and mechatronics.

The awards are given in recognition of scholarly works that contribute significantly to the body of knowledge and development of S & T in the country.

Cash prizes for Outstanding Thesis winner per Discipline include P60,000 cash prize, P15,000 for the adviser, while P10,000 each for the two finalists. In the Outstanding Dissertation category, winner receives P75,000, adviser P25,000.00, and P20,000 each for the two finalists.

Criteria/guidelines for the selection of winners and nomination forms may be downloaded at the
PCASTRD website at http://www/pcastrd.dost.gov.ph

Deadline for submission of entries is on August 31, 2010.

DOST V encourages eligible candidates from R&D agencies and higher education institutions to participate in this activity. (POLucena, DOST V)

OWWA 2010 SEARCH FOR MODEL OFW FAMILY OF THE YEAR ON

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay - The search is on for the 2010 Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA).

OWWA now welcomes nominations from various NGOs, POs, religious organizations/ associations, community-based organizations/associations, and LGUs for OFW families who meet the following criteria: a) wholesome family; b) civic/community involvement of OFW and family; c) success in OFW and family’s education and/or profession; and d) success in managing family finances.

All seventeen (17) regions of the country shall have 2 MOFYA winners each, one from the land-based category and the other from the sea-based. From these regional MOFYA winners, two (2) will emerged as national winners during the national awarding on December 2010. Two more special awards shall be conferred namely, Outstanding Achievement in Community Projects and in Entrepreneurship, respectively.

For last year’s MOFYA National Search, OFW Emilio Belo and family of Baleno, Masbate emerged as winner in the sea-based category.

MOFYA is an annual search undertaken by OWWA to give due recognition to the outstanding achievements of the OFWs and their families and promote best practices in managing family challenges.

Specifically it aims to serve as role models for the whole OFW population, promote success stories about OFW families’ endurance over the challenges on their family relations and uplift the image of OFW families in the community, and highlight the role of OFW family acting as a group/unit in the attainment of socio-civic, educational, professional and material success.

For more inquiries on the 2010 MOFYA nationwide search, kindly visit OWWA Regional Welfare Office No. 5 at the 3rd Floor of ANST Building, Washington Drive, Legazpi City. Or contact the office at (052) 481-4503/4562 or thru email at owwarwo5@yahoo.com and rwo5@owwa.gov.ph. (KTRamirez, OWWA V/PIA)

DAY CARE WORKERS’ HAILED IN THE BICOL REGIONAL CONFAB
LEGAZPI CITY — Bicol regional director Remia Tapispisan of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) cited day care workers in the region for their continued commitment to serve and provide substitute mothering, responsive nurturing stimulating alternative care very vital for the young children.
In the recent Regional Day Care Workers’ Convention, Tapispisan remarked that “day care workers are the unsung heroes of the present times.”
Some 2,000 day care workers took part in the regional confab sponsored by the Regional Federation of Day Care Workers (RFDCW) in coordination with DSWD Bicol regional office.

With the theme “Day Care Worker: Salamin ng Katatagan, Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon”, the one-day activity provided day care workers updates on the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program particularly on the World Health Organization’s Children Growth Standard; and data on results of the State of the Art Review of the Day Care Workers.
Day care workers were also able to discuss and share among themselves experiences, issues and concerns relative to the programs implementation.
Marilyn Manuel, executive director of the ECCD Council, explained that the state of the art review of the day care service, the survey research, is the first comprehensive survey of the day care workers, the day care worker supervisors and the day care centers.
Manuel furthered that the results of the survey will help in the formulation, crafting of legislative agenda designing focused strategies and improvement of day care service delivery in the country.
The regional convention was culminated with the giving of loyalty award to the day care workers who were in the service from 25 years up.
Tapispisan, meanwhile, inducted the new set of officers of RFDCW in Bicol wherein Maureen S. Brizo from Camarines Sur was elected president; Abundancio A. Ramos, Jr. from Albay, vice president; Corazon Abias from Naga City, secretary; Emma Cabautan from Masbate City, assistant secretary; Angelina B. Bron from Tabaco City, treasurer; Gemila C. Langcawon from Iriga City, assistant treasurer; . Loida R. Bardinas from Camarines Norte, auditor. (DSWD V/PIA)
SUSPECTED REBELS TORCH HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN CATANDUANES

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur — Suspected NPA rebels burned down yesterday (Thursday, July 29) heavy equipment used for road construction and maintenance project in Catanduanes, a military report said.

Lt. Col. Danilo Aquino, commander of the 83rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in San Andres town, averred that more or less 5 rebels from the Islacom Pusa command, under one Ka James, torched down a backhoe owned by Sunwest Corporation Thursday afternoon.

“The local terrorist group burned the construction equipment in Barihay village of San Andres town, blaming private contractor’s refusal to pay the extortion demand. They have also attempted, but failed, to burn some other heavy equipment used in Solong Hydroelectric plant last year,” bared Aquino.

Aquino said that his unit was not informed about the start of the ‘preventive maintenance’ work carried out by Sunwest in the 80-kilometer stretch of the San Andres-Virac-Viga road, which is part of the 200 kilometer Catanduanes circumferential road project.

“We have an agreement with the private contractors to inform us prior to the actual conduct of their operations. Unfortunately, the coordinator of Sunwest failed to tell us despite the fact that they had resumed their work last July 27, Tuesday,” added Aquino.

Barely two months ago, were two motor graders owned by Sunwest Corporation also torched down by armed rebels in Bula, Camarines Sur. During that incident, two militiamen, who only passed by the area, were also murdered by the fleeing rebels.

The burning of construction equipment was staged by NPA terrorists whenever their extortion demand is not granted.

Major General Ruperto Pabustan, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, has already directed the 83rdIB to hunt down the perpetrators and conduct security patrols to prevent similar incidents from happening again. (HMCabunoc, DPA 9ID PA/PIA)

P-Noy extends services of non-CESO, contractual employees in gov't until Oct. 31, 2010

MANILA — President Benigno Simeon Aquino III has issued Memorandum Circular No. 2 extending up to Oct. 31, 2010 the tour of duty of non-Career Executive Service Officials (CESO) and contractual employees occupying CESO positions in government.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa signed on Thursday, July 29 Memorandum Circular No. 2, amending MC No. 1 which is expiring on Saturday, July 31, 2010.

MC No. 2 states that in the exigency of the service and to ensure continuity of government operations, official processes and transactions as well as the delivery of services to the people, Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Memorandum Circular No. 1 are amended to read as follows:

”2. All non-Career Executive Service Officials (non-CESO) occupying Career Executive Service (CES) positions in all agencies of the Executive Branch shall remain in office and continue to perform their duties and discharge their responsibilities until October 31, 2010, or until their resignations have been accepted and/or until their respective replacements have been appointed or designated, whichever comes first, unless they are reappointed in the meantime.

”3. In cases where the head of agency or office has resigned and whose resignation has been accepted or is deemed separated on June 30, 2010, and no replacement has been appointed or designated, the next-in-rank and most senior official of the agency or a senior official of the Department to which said agency is attached, shall be designated by the Department Secretary concerned as officer-in-charge, to perform the duties and discharge the responsibilities of the position until October 31, 2010 or until a replacement has been appointed or designated, whichever comes first, unless his designation is extended in the meantime."

MC No. 2 also states that any official whose service has been terminated or whose resignation has been accepted on/or before July 31, 2010, but whose replacement has not yet been appointed or designated shall be deemed separated from the service as of the date of termination or acceptance of resignation.
Secretary Ochoa said MC No. 2 further states that any provision of Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series 2010, and its implementing guidelines dated July 16, 2010, inconsistent with MC No. 2, is hereby deemed repealed or modified accordingly. (PIA V Release)

Gov't to check ITR of rice importers, gov’t contractors

MANILA — The government’s bid against tax evasion will also check on government-accredited rice importers and contractors to check if these are paying correct taxes.

Thus, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima has ordered the National Food Authority (NFA) to submit its list of rice importers and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) its list of top contractors.

He said income tax return (ITR) of these importers and contractors will be reviewed by the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) .

“We will leave no stone unturned in fight against tax evasion,” he said.

Purisima explained that “given the volume of importation, there are substantial volume that should be subject to tax.”

He said they will check the ITR of officials involved in rice importation.

“We’ll do lifestyle check,” he said.

Meanwhile, Purisima reiterated their plan to “revisit functions of the NFA.”

“Regulatory function should stay, warehousing and price stability functions should be limited,” he said.

NFA has been among the government agencies mentioned by President Benigno Aquino III in his state of the nation address (SONA) last Monday as among those putting burden on the government’s fiscal health.

As of end-2009, NFA’s deficit reached around P171 billion, which Purisima said is way to high after only registering P45 billion deficit at end-2004.

Purisima said “subsidy should be consolidated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).”

He earlier disclosed their plan to cut NFA resources because of the agency’s ballooning deficit.

Abolition of NFA needs Congress’ approval, he said “but we can implement some of the changes by limiting the resources available and by doing directional management.”

Purisima said they will vie for the cut in subsidies for NFA but this will not happen this year since the rest of the year will be a transition period for the new administration.

Instead of subsidies to NFA, the Finance chief said the budget will be allocated to the conditional cash transfer being implemented by the DSWD. (PIA V Release)


Palace to study proposal to give excess NFA rice to RP’s poor

MANILA — Malacañang on Thursday (July 29) said it will study the suggestion to President Benigno S. Aquino III to allow the distribution of surplus imported rice to poor families instead of leaving the grains to rot in warehouses.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing that the proposal was certainly "a good suggestion, but we will study it."

Lacierda said National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Lito Banayo has hinted the possibility of dispensing the excess supply of rice to the poor.

A farmer’s group, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, concurred with the NFA chief’s suggestion and urged President Aquino to distribute the surplus rice to the more than four million impoverished Filipinos.

Lacierda said Banayo is currently assessing the condition of the rice stocks stored in NFA warehouses.
He also said Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman would also be consulted regarding Banayo’s recommendation.

In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, President Aquino revealed that due to the over-importation of rice during the Arroyo administration, the excess supply was left to rot in warehouses.
The NFA incurred P171.6 billion debt with that rice importation made last May 2010, according to the President.

Banayo has said that the NFA, with the help of the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of investigation would conduct a system and management audit on the reported over-importation of rice and determine the possible accountability of parties involved. (PIA V Release)

DOLE gears up for expanded OFW protection; issues rules implementing R. A. 10022

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment, together with the Department of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies with overseas Filipino workers-related mandates, issued on Wednesday (July 28) the rules and regulations on the implementation of Republic Act No. 10022, shifting up to a higher gear President Benigno S. Aquino III's agenda to expand the protection of the welfare and interest of eight million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

R.A. 10022 is officially titled "The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, As Amended, Further Improving the Standard of Protection and Promotion of the Welfare of Migrant Workers, Their Families and Overseas Filipinos in Distress, and For Other Purposes."

The implementing rules and regulations will take effect 15 days after publication in two national newspapers on Wednesday.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, brushing aside comments that OFWs had been “forgotten” when President Aquino did not mention them in his maiden State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, said, “The implementation of R. A. 10022 is a challenge that puts the DOLE at an even bigger forefront of OFW social protection.”

“This is the government’s answer to those comments,” she said, noting that with R.A. 10022, the groundwork has been laid for the expanded protection of the country’s “modern-day heroes” in pursuit of the President’s 22-point agenda for labor and employment.

Baldoz emphasized that 11 of the 22 items in the agenda are OFW-related and that the 11 agenda items are for the protection of OFWs and for enhancing their competitiveness.

The rules and regulations spell out in details the salient protective measures of the new law, among which are:

1. Emphasis on stronger bilateral and multilateral relations with receiving countries for protection, interpreting provision of free skills and livelihood programs as expanding free access to such programs.

2. Criteria for host countries (guaranteeing protection), subject to concurrence to “take positive and concrete measures” to protect the rights of migrant workers; and clarifying a three-step process that involves: a) DFA certifications on compliance by host countries; b) POEA resolution allowing deployment to complying host countries; and c) POEA processing of workers’ documents to countries identified in POEA resolutions.

3. Inclusion of amendments to prohibited acts that may constitute illegal recruitment by licensed and unlicensed agencies, as well as other prohibited acts, such as loans, decking practice in OFW medical examinations; and recruitment by suspended agencies.

4. Anti-illegal recruitment programs that include institutionalizing the role of local government units (LGUs); added capability of POEA lawyers; prosecution; and operation and surveillance to apprehend illegal recruiters.

5. Money claims. Inclusion of voluntary arbitration.

6. Repatriation and mechanism for repatriation. Responsibility for repatriation with principal/employer and licensed recruitment agency; 48-hour notice rule and 15-day period for countries with exit visa requirements; provisions on repatriation of underage workers and asserting penalties and liabilities for recruiters who recruit underage migrant workers.

7. Overseas Filipino Resource Centers will now have additional required personnel, such as psychologists, etc. and be under direct POLO supervision.

8. Institutionalizing the National Reintegration Center for OFWs.

9. Protection from abusive medical clinics.

10. Ensuring the use of the legal assistance fund for foreign lawyers and attorneys’ fees and for filing of cases against erring or abusive employers.

11. Compulsory insurance to cover agency-hired workers for accidental death, natural death, permanent total disablement, repatriation costs, subsistence allowance benefit, money claims, compassionate visit, medical evaluation, and medical repatriation.
“With the publication of the implementing rules and regulations, I now direct the family of agencies under the DOLE that have OFW-related mandates to craft their own internal rules and regulations for the smooth operationalization and implementation of the provisions of the law,” Baldoz said. (PIA V Release)

Palace to promote fair media treatment through Communications Group

MANILA — Malacanang will develop a system that will give journalists equal access to information materials it releases, including possible advance copies of President Benigno Aquino III's speeches.

"There must be a level playing field in the communication process," said communications group Secretary Herminio Coloma.

Coloma gave the assurance following an incident wherein a media outfit was able to secure, ahead of other similar entities, an advanced copy of Mr. Aquino's first State of the Nation Address.

Coloma said he is heading the Presidential Communication Operations Office, the communication group's message dissemination arm composed of government media entities, and would not tolerate unfair treatment of journalists.

"There will be a means to promote fairness," he said.

Malacanang is boosting the government's communication capability so that the messages of President Aquino and his administration can be conveyed clearly to the greater mass of the people, particularly at the grassroots level.

Aside from its dissemination arm, the communications group has a messaging unit that will handle messages from the Office of the President to be conveyed.

Coloma said this unit is called the Presidential Communications Strategy and Development Office.
Journalist Ricky Carandang is heading this office.

"Our tasks are complementary," Coloma noted. (PIA V Release)